The Dos and Don'ts of Back Pain
By Sara Butler
You are presented with many situations throughout the course of your day, situations that if you’re not careful can cause you back pain and discomfort. For everyone who commutes to work and then spends all day working at a desk, here are a few dos and don’ts from your friends at The Joint Chiropractic to help keep your back healthy and free from pain!
In the Car
If you spend more than an hour a day in the car, then you need to pay attention! As many as 85 percent of Americans commute by car, and bad positioning during your commute can cause problems. Keep these tips in mind:
- Get the right kind of car – The larger vehicle is probably going to be a better choice for your back health. Larger cars allow for more adjustments to your seat, helping you to position your body correctly for lengthy commutes.
- Set up your seat right – Don’t sit so far back that you have to hunch or lean forward to hold the steering wheel.
- Utilize pillows – Try out different pillows from your house to help you find the right kind of support in your seat. You may need lower back support or support between your shoulders to stay comfortable. Try it out with pillows from home before you go out and spend money on fancy pillows for your car.
At Work
If you are a certified desk jockey, then you probably spend most of your day sitting. The dos and don’ts for sitting at your desk include:
- Positioning your computer properly – Your screen should be at eye level so you don’t have to look down or up to do your work.
- Sit the right way – You don’t need an expensive ergonomic chair to keep your back healthy while sitting. Make sure your chair provides support for your lower and middle back, and make sure it’s the right height to keep your knees level or just below the level of your hips.
- Take breaks – You need to get out of the posture you’re working in at least once an hour, so set an alarm on your phone or computer to help you remember to get up every hour or so to stretch and move around.
If you have any questions about keeping your back healthy during your daily activities, discuss them with your chiropractor at The Joint!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.